Author(s): Stefania Morittu*
Chemotherapy and radiotherapy are treatments that can cause serious short and long-term side effects, by affecting different body areas, the oral cavity included. There are immediate or late-term side effects on the oral cavity. The side effects of cervical-cephalic radiotherapy are borne by the treated area and depend on the treatment volumes and dose of radiation and drugs administered. Other factors: the age of the patient, associated therapies, psychological attitude of the patient to the disease, as well as individual sensitivity to radiation, also affect the extent of these effects.
Dietary and oral hygiene changes, oesophageal reflux disease can cause tooth tissue demineralisation with enamel erosion and increase the risk of tooth decay if appropriate preventive interventions are not planned.
